RAD to Unveil Miniature Fast Ethernet Remote Bridge on an MSA SFP

Revolutionary Concept for Connecting Ethernet Devices over PDH or SDH/SONET Links

January 24, 2006: RAD Data Communications has announced the launch of a "Smart SFP," a new series of patent-pending Ethernet First Mile access solutions.

At CeBIT 2006 in Hanover, Germany, RAD will unveil the MiRIC series of miniaturized Fast Ethernet-over-PDH and SDH/SONET connectivity devices, the first such implementation of this concept. Housed in standard SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) packages, the MiRIC can be plugged into any regular MSA (Multi-Source Agreement) compatible socket, providing remote bridging over E1/T1 and E3/T3 lines.

"The MiRIC in an SFP package is a revolutionary idea," states Jacky Acoca, Business Development Manager at RAD Data Communications. "Most SFP sockets available today feature different fiber optic interfaces and function, for all intent and purposes, as Ethernet media converters," Acoca continues. "The SFP-packaged MiRIC, however, offers full system functionality, supporting LAN bridging, OAM, VLAN tagging, flow control, and different protocols (GFP, HDLC, CHDLC) over E1/T1 or E3/T3."

Ideal End-to-End Ethernet Solution for Enterprises and Carriers

Until now, such interdisciplinary functionality has been possible only by deploying expensive, external products adjacent to Ethernet switches, IP routers or other Ethernet equipment, or by equipping them with dedicated internal modules, in order to connect them to E1/T1, E3/T3 PDH or SDH/SONET links. In comparison, the finger-sized MiRIC boasts a small footprint and can be plugged directly into the Ethernet device. This eliminates the need for external units, cables and even power supply cords, since it draws current directly from the hosting device. "The MiRIC's form factor, simplicity and flexibility combine to make it the ideal end-to-end Ethernet solution for enterprise and carrier applications alike," Acoca adds.

According to Infonetics Research, global demand for Metro Ethernet equipment will have grown from $2.4 billion in 2004 to $7.6 billion by 2008. Expenditures on Ethernet-over-PDH products alone will have expanded from $266 million in 2004 to $756 in 2008, a hefty annual growth. "RAD's MiRIC series of miniaturized Fast Ethernet remote bridges is a unique solution, and we expect it to capture a significant segment of this galloping market," Acoca predicts.

A Fully Autonomous Device

The core of the MiRIC is a highly integrated ASIC that enables it to function as a fully autonomous device that does not require any special software in the host equipment. The MiRIC can be used with any standards compliant device, as well as to complement applications employing other RAD products at remote locations, such as RIC intelligent converters, ETX Ethernet Demarcation & Demarcation Devices, the Egate central Ethernet gateway, and the IPmux-14 TDMoIP gateway.

Enhanced Features: GFP over E1 and GFP over E3

The MiRIC already offers framed and unframed E1/T1 and E3/T3 TDM interfaces. The product supports Ethernet-over-HDLC mapping, and support for G.8040/Y.1340 for GFP (Generic Framing Procedure) over E1 and GFP over E3 will be available in the second quarter of 2006. A Fast Ethernet interface is now available, and a Gigabit Ethernet interface will be introduced in mid-2006.

About RAD

Established in 1981, privately owned RAD Data Communications has achieved international recognition as a major manufacturer of high quality access equipment for data communications and telecommunications applications. These solutions serve the data and voice access requirements of service providers, incumbent and new carriers, and enterprise networks, by reducing infrastructure investment costs while boosting competitiveness and profitability. The company's installed base exceeds 10,000,000 units and includes more than 150 carriers and operators around the world. These customers are supported by 21 RAD offices and more than 300 channel partners in 164 countries.

RAD is a member of the RAD Group of companies, a world leader in networking and internetworking product solutions.